The delay on the proposed report on the Civic Centre site in Esher will continue as we work through the implications of the local government reorganisation.  We will update you further in the coming weeks 28 January 2025 update: Due to Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation and the changes this will bring to Elmbridge as well as councils across Surrey and England we have made the decision to have a short delay on the proposed report on the Civic Centre site in Esher from February Cabinet meeting to March’s meeting we have been working through business plans to assess the options for the Civic Centre site either move to an existing office building and redevelop the Civic Centre land for housing or build a new Civic Centre on the same site and redevelop the land for housing the probable changes to local government in Surrey and the pace of those changes mean that it is prudent to have a short delay in our report We remain committed to our vision for Esher as the civic heart of the borough The Civic Centre site remains the key to unlocking that vision When we engaged with local residents and businesses you told us that any potential development of the Civic Centre should reflect the council’s commitment to visible and accountable governance – we wholeheartedly support this and this commitment has also contributed to our decision to delay We thank you for your patience and we will update you again when we know more about the pace of Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey 18 November 2024 update: Work is continuing on the options for the Civic Centre We had planned to present these options to Cabinet in November and Council in December we require additional time to thoroughly develop and cost the options to support the project business case the proposal will now be presented to Cabinet in February 2025 18 September update: Cabinet approved this proposal This will now go to October Council for final agreement With a new Elmbridge Cabinet established in May this year it’s only prudent to return to Cabinet to provide an update on the options under consideration for the future of the Civic Centre Councillors will be discussing funding to evaluate the future of the Civic Centre building in Esher The Civic Centre serves Elmbridge Borough Council employees as well as two private companies renting space Councillors agreed with a residents consultation that in order to establish Esher as the civic heart of Elmbridge the Civic Centre needs to be more accessible and integrated into the High Street; it needs to serve its employees as well as its residents and contribute to the vitality of the high street exploration work has been undertaken to determine whether to construct a new Civic Centre or relocate to a building that better aligns with the services we offer residents and allows for the most efficient use of space in a central town location Delivering much needed housing is a priority for Elmbridge Borough Council and the requirement for both town centre and affordable homes that meet local demands will also be considered as part of the future of the Civic Centre Following the Cabinet’s decision in September and Council’s decision in October a further report will be presented to Cabinet in November for recommendation to December’s Council meeting You can read the September Cabinet report through our website. The meeting on 18 September will also be webcast. Stay up-to-date on council and borough news through WhatsApp and our newsletter.  Join Elmbridge Borough Council’s WhatsApp  Sign up to the Elmbridge Borough Council newsletter Help improve this site by giving feedback Andy Powell Content Editor Horse Racing stats man Andy has contributed to OLBG for 18 years - An Ipswich fan and F1 fanatic he also contributes EFL football and Motor Sport opinion Run over a trip of one mile and open to runners who are aged three years old is the Esher Cup which is a Class 2 handicap that takes place at Sandown during April and is a race that can throw up a surprise result despite the smallish fields that we get each year When looking at the over-rounds for the last 20 renewals the most competitive market was in 2004 when the race had an over-round of 109% The race in 2007 was a race that was most in the bookie's favour with an over-round of 124% whilst on average over the last 20 renewals of the Esher Cup which means the bookie expects to pay out £100 for every £115 which is bet Below you will find the 2026 Esher Cup Trends. See which patterns have occurred over the recent renewals that you may be able to use for the next renewal. We also have a section that looks at the Esher Cup Trend Analysis These are the top three quickest-run Esher Cup over the last 20 renewals: trained by B W Hills and ridden by Michael Hills who set the fastest winning time in the Esher Cup That runner won the race in a time of 1:42.74 in 2007 it was the combination of trainer Marco Botti and jockey Silvestre De Sousa with Grey Mirage who set the slowest winning time; the race-winning time was 1:54.30 in the 2012 renewal Andy Powell - Horse Racing Betting Expert - OLBG.com Here are the Esher Cup past winners for the last 10 renewals along with the age & weight of the horse Also detailed is the stall where the horse came from and the total number of runners in the race The horse's trainer and the jockey at the time of winning the Esher Cup are also displayed along with the starting price at which the horse was sent off Race Notes: The 2023 renewal was abandoned due to unsafe ground The leading trainer in the Esher Cup over the last 20 renewals is John Gosden with those two winners coming from Racketeer (2009) and Fallen Idol (2010) There is one trainer who has not had the best of times in the Esher Cup Andrew Balding has sent a total of 10 runners to the race without recording any wins Here are some of the top Esher Cup trainer statistics over the last 20 renewals (R = Runners Win LSP is based on 1pt Win and EW LSP is based on 0.5pt Win & 0.5pt Place): There are two leading jockeys in the Esher Cup over the last 20 renewals with both Ryan Moore and Silvestre De Sousa Ryan Moore winners have been with Prince Samos (2005) Silvestre De Sousa winners have been with Grey Mirage (2012) The only other jockey to have recorded multiple wins in the Esher Cup is William Buick (2 wins) Here are some of the top Esher Cup jockey statistics over the last 20 renewals (R = Runners Favourites finishing positions (oldest to latest): 3 The percentage shown is the percentage of the total number of runners who fell under that factor High percentages are less appealing than lower ones Remember to use the trends listed above, along with the Sandown racing predictions, to see if you can find the winner of the Esher Cup. Did you know that we have an OLBG Betting School section on OLBG It is a place to help you improve your betting experience with articles covering numerous topics Are you already a member? If not, then why not? With over £6,000 given away each month in the tipster competition, why not get involved? Remember, it is completely FREE! So, head over to the registration page to sign up today! If you are already a member, then share your thoughts on the Esher Cup by adding a tip on the race here which has produced 10+ winners and shows the best LSP is when runners finished in 1st last time out ❌ The worst performing factor that has failed to produce a single winner is when runners carried 128lbs when last winning along with the further placings in brackets: there have been a total of 3 winners from each of those courses with the Male runners having produced a total of 20 winners from a total of 167 runners whilst the Female runners have produced 1 winner from a total of 6 runners there is only one stallion whose offspring have been disappointed with multiple attempts but no wins in the Esher Cup that stallion is Kodiac who has failed to produce a winner from 6 runners Looking at the winning odds over the last 20 renewals, the biggest-priced winner was Barathea Dreams in 2004, winning for J S Moore at odds of 14/1 under the guidance of Jimmy Quinn. Looking at the runners at the head of the market over the last 20 renewals, there have been 4 winning favourites in the race. Remember to bookmark the best racing tipsters page so you can get easy access to the best OLBG racing tipsters Many trainers will target races to use as prep races before coming to the Esher Cup these are the races which the recent winners ran in before coming here: © 2002-2024 OLBG, part of Invendium Ltd Care Home Professional Loveday has announced the launch of its newest luxury residence this private estate has 37 suites and is situated on 13 acres of breath-taking landscapes combining natural beauty with Greater London sophistication This residence marks Loveday’s first venture outside of central London It follows the highly anticipated launch of Loveday Belgravia Designed to the ‘highest standards across three floors’ Loveday Esher offers amenities including a ‘state-of-the-art gym’ Each suite provides its members with a serene and luxurious environment ensuring the utmost comfort and tranquillity culinary experiences and comprehensive bespoke care services Loveday Esher will provide ‘a unique environment where families and friends can relax and enjoy life as it should be’ the company says tranquil water features and beautifully manicured gardens creating an engaging environment for members and visitors alike to enjoy A dedicated kitchen garden will grow fresh and be tended to by members.  The vegetables and herbs will be incorporated into daily menus by the culinary team further ‘enhancing the connection to nature and providing a unique homegrown touch to the Loveday experience’ the company says advanced therapeutic services ‘tailored to individual recovery journeys’ says: “Loveday continues to redefine excellence in senior living and we are delighted to announce Loveday Esher our first residence outside of Central London This new property embodies our commitment to delivering the highest standards of bespoke care innovation and community spirit and best-in-class hospitality.  “The transformation of this historic estate into a haven of wellbeing reflects our belief that care is not just about support Every detail at Esher has been meticulously crafted to create a sense of purpose dignity and joy for our Members and their loved ones From the serene landscapes to the luxurious amenities we are creating so much more than a care home; we are curating lifestyles that celebrate individuality and both support and enhance our Members’ continued growth.” The Elmbridge Moving Art exhibition is now open at the Civic Centre in Esher until 9 May. It can be viewed in the Elmbridge Museum showcase and on their website   This exhibition is a collaborative effort between Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre in Walton showcasing the exceptional talent of artists connected to Elmbridge.   Featuring 16 artworks from both emerging and established artists this exhibition includes pieces that were part of a larger showcase of 70 artworks at the Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre from 25 September to 20 October 2024.   You can preview the artworks on the Elmbridge Moving Art exhibition website where you can also gain insights into each artist's inspiration and watch videos recorded by some of the artists*.   Selected artworks are available for purchase. For enquiries, please contact the Elmbridge Museum team. Come and explore the remarkable artworks on display and support our talented local artists  *Listen to interviews from some of participating artists:  Esher Quakers gave up their 227-year-old Grade 2 listed meeting house and burial ground and made a move to meet in hired space Making this change was a testing and stressful experience calling on spiritual Esher Quakers share their reflections on managing change Esher Meeting are an active and outward looking small meeting with an average Sunday attendance of 10 who now meet in a rented space in an adult education centre in central Esher The journey to get there was challenging and emotional but most now describe feeling 'relieved and released' Covid restrictions reduced the activity and lettings income making Esher local meeting even more dependent on financial support from the wider Area Meeting placing new burdens on Friends to run the building who are responsible for the upkeep of London meeting houses asked Friends to consider the right use of resources Esher Quakers held 3 long meetings for discernment without time limits between October 2023 and February 2024 The question of what to do next was complex and emotional The three meetings for clearness brought up fluctuating emotions and hard practicalities One Esher Quaker describes how 'At the first meeting Friends were optimistic hoping to keep the Meeting House and grasping at untested solutions…which in the end proved to be unsustainable and too burdensome In the second meeting expressions of grief and loss and resistance to change divided the Meeting We recognised that there must be change because our human resources were exhausted The discipline of the Quaker Business Method held us together; all were heard: struggling As it became clear that we were not ready to make a decision we agreed to continue thinking radically and plan for a further meeting During which we heard reports and asked ourselves many 'what if' questions we expressed how much we loved our meeting house and acknowledged the challenges we faced were weakening us as a worshipping community - and to accept that people and not a building made the Meeting We felt ready to be trusting and to live adventurously We came to a decision and sadly this was not in unity We agreed to become a premises free meeting Many Friends acknowledged later how they had gradually adjusted to the decision and changes Maybe once the difficult decision was made it was easier to voice the grief troubling to know that the 'minuted' decision was not 'in unity' Esher Quakers valiantly took on all the practical tasks of emptying and readying the building grounds and hirers for the sale; including arranging a final meeting for worship and putting up an informative historic plaque on the building Quakers in Britain employ a Property Management advisor who can assist Quakers with questions around property. John Dash is contactable at johnd@quaker.org.uk Privacy policy The Elmbridge Countryside Team invites you to join them on their programme of summer guided walks around Esher Commons Our Countryside Ranger Susy will lead the walks and guide you through the various habitats of Esher Commons  She will introduce you to the rare species that can be found there and give the site its conservation designation of SSSI status (Site of Special Scientific Interest) She will explain how our rangers manage local commons to enhance biodiversity and balance their important conservation work while making sure sites are for visitors A mid-summer foray around West End Common (16 July) and Esher Common (17 July) in search of dragonflies their unusual names and the insects that rely on them Discover the story of this ancient semi-natural habitat home to rare and specialised flora and fauna We’ll look back at the heathland distant and recent pasts explore how it was formed and how we preserve it now We’ll take a close look at some of the specialist wildlife that live here The countryside guided walks are free to join. It is essential to book your spaces in advance by emailing countryside@elmbridge.gov.uk as spaces are limited Apr 13, 2025 | News, Sports Unstoppable Albion Dazzle at Brickfields in Final Home Game of the Season There are days at Brickfields that live long in the memory Chants of 2,063 fans rising into the Devon sky Plymouth Albion delivered a final home performance that was not just dominant A 59-0 win over Esher was not only a showcase of how far the side has come this season but a resounding statement of ambition for the one to come It was the second time this campaign the crowd topped 2,000 a number that reflects more than just interest; it reflects belief the Stormforce Marquee packed to the rafters leading out the side on his 50th appearance for the club whose calm leadership and creative spark would prove crucial on the day Oulton was clear: “Let’s worry about what we do and how we perform — the rest will take care of itself.” the kind of rugby that turns heads and earns headlines It didn’t take long for the tone to be set near the iconic Eric Johns (Princess Yachts) Stand Albion’s first meaningful attack came straight from the training ground hitting 13 out of 13 launched a laser-accurate throw to Jake Clemson In came Ben Moa with a surge of energy that turned momentum into menace spotting space and defenders clutching at shadows delivered a behind-the-back pass so outrageous it would have made the Harlem Globetrotters take notes who sprinted clear to score under the posts Albion swept to the opposite side of the pitch who powered through traffic to finish smartly Dart converted again with ease right of the Brunel Stand With 65% possession and 18 entries into the Esher 22 across the 80 minutes they were camped in enemy territory for long spells picking their moments and picking their opponents apart driven by the muscle of Herbie Stupple and co raw power in motion before offloading back to Stupple The ball was recycled quickly and spun wide to Cornish who dived over for his second of the afternoon Esher began to show signs of fraying at the edges frustration creeping in as Albion’s physical and mental discipline never wavered The home side were clinical in every area: crisp passes with Stupple leading the way on defence with nine bruising stops Just when Esher might have hoped for respite Clemson cut a sharp line through exhausted defenders for try number four celebrating with a fist-pump and a skyward toss of the ball Dart’s fourth straight conversion sent the home crowd into raptures Moa soared into the air to claim the ball like a man possessed as electric as the atmosphere arriving to ground the ball in the right corner for his second Where earlier in the season Albion may have dropped intensity in the second half ended in Exeter loanee Israel Akinrowo crashing over for his first try The power in the carry was matched only by the speed of execution A dominant scrum on the left soon followed a symbol of Albion’s control up front who needed no second invitation to complete his hat-trick Dart’s afternoon on the tee came to a close who curled over the extras to pass 200 points for the season in style The final phase of the match brought more tries A perfectly executed lineout saw Gabe Mead connect with Connor Eastgate who turned on the jets and drew in the last man who stepped inside and dived over for his fourth try of the match setting a new season-high for an Albion player drawing in contact before slipping the perfect hand-off evading a late tackle and sprinting home to cap off a sensational team try He slotted the final conversion to end the game 59-0 the entire Albion squad poured toward the stands this was a club connected from pitch to people Head coach Ryan Lamb summed it up:“I think this was the first time we stuck to the game plan from start to finish It was a great shift from the lads and a well-deserved win The fans have been amazing all season — hopefully we can win the final away game at Sale and finish on a high note.” whose form since returning on loan has been electric gave all the credit to those around him:“It’s good to get over the line but all the thanks go to the team and the fans With 4th place currently Albion’s to lose and just a single point separating them from Blackheath and Rams next weekend’s clash away at Sale FC could decide everything Match Report by Paul Nicholson | Photography by Tom Antoney Contact the team on hello@oneplymouth.co.uk Our Privacy & Cookies Policy One Plymouth is part of Eddystone Media a media group specialising in digital services for the hospitality and tourism industry © 2025 One Plymouth – All Rights Reserved insight and opinion from the world of restaurants 05-Sep-2024 Last updated on 06-Sep-2024 at 10:36 GMT It’s a neighbourhood restaurant that serves sustainable and seasonal British food with four stools at the bar that are unbookable but are the best seats in the house because you can see the kitchen There are 30 covers in the main body of the restaurant and then there’s an additional area that we call the front room that has 10 covers The big thing in Esher is Sandown Racecourse and we are right at that end of town There’s an awful lot of traffic; it’s a big thoroughfare and from our point of view that’s great because we are visually prominent on the high street It’s very affluent but we are very price conscious we are trying to keep Starling really good value for money There are not loads of restaurants around here given the affluence of the area but there are a few - the Victoria at Oxshott is five minutes away and Ashle Palmer-Watts is opening a place in Cobham which is the next town five minutes down the road The menu starts with snacks such as steak tartare hash browns We’ve got a selection of steaks and mains such as duck with cherry ketchup so our tomato salad will move into something more autumnal soon There’s also a mushroom ‘risotto’ dish that has come over from Kerridge’s Bar & Grill When I left Kerridge’s all my dishes came off mainly because we didn’t have anywhere to develop any dishes And it features your Great British Menu winning dishes The Great British Menu dishes have been very popular that’s one thing that caught us out last week We are selling a huge amount of scallops (Beardshaw’s A Moon Shaped Pool dish) and Balloon Girl (a raspberry cheesecake chocolate torte) At the moment most people are eating three courses; the ratio of desserts is quite high Normally you run at 40% of people ordering desserts Have you always wanted to run your own place Then I started doing Great British Menu in 2021 and 2023 so there was always something keeping me in the group But I’d got to the point where now I’ve got a profile of my own In the kitchen there is me plus three other chefs I wanted to hold fire on that fifth position James was assistant general manager at The Coach and went to The Pem as head sommelier and before becoming assistant head sommelier at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay so he has really good experience as a sommelier and manager and local – they have a good attitude and are keen to learn and be part of something One has worked in hospitality before but not at this level But the most important thing for us is that people are nice and friendly and create a warm environment What is a tough decision to leave the Tom Kerridge group after being there so long I had actually spoken to Tom pre pandemic that at some point this is what I wanted to do, but then that went out of the window. It wasn’t the right time, inflation was way out of control, and I also wanted to leave Kerridge’s in a good place it was done with Tom’s support; he’s been great throughout the process and has given me guidance Beardshaw's Great British Menu dish Balloon GirlHas your experience working with Tom helped with the launch of Starling because as well as The Coach and Kerridge’s Bar & Grill I also launched The Butcher’s Tap & Grill in Marlow so I know about all this stuff that is happening at the moment You are chasing your tail for the first week because you don’t know what anyone is going to order It never goes completely smoothly but as long as you’re at a certain level all of these things eventually get ironed out so we need to get people aware of what we’re doing at lunchtime At the moment we have a very simple 1/1/1 menu du jour for £25 - last week it was gazpacho with melon mascarpone and pesto; the main course was honey glazed bacon with deep fried quail’s egg and girolles; and a crème brulee for dessert – but I’d like to expand it to 2/2/2 to get more people in at lunchtime It’s probably an 80:20 split dinner to lunch at the moment so there is a lot of growth to be had at lunchtime www.starlingbistro.co.uk Nick Beardshaw to open Starling in Esher this summer23-Jul-2024By Stefan ChomkaNick Beardshaw will open his debut restaurant in his home town of Esher, Surrey, at the end of August. Nick Beardshaw departs Tom Kerridge's group to open his debut restaurant13-Jun-2024By Stefan ChomkaNick Beardshaw has left Tom Kerridge’s restaurant group after 14 years to launch his own restaurant. Flash-grilled: Nick Beardshaw 25-Oct-2019By Joe LutrarioThe head chef at Kerridge's Bar & Grill in London on Domino's, not completing MEATliquor's triple chilli challenge and cheap truffles. Whet your appetite with beers from the European UnionPaid for and content provided by European Union Staffing costs rising — how smart hiring solutions are helping UK restaurantsPaid for and content provided by YoungOnes Lost Revenue from Downtime: How It Cripples Your Delivery App Visibility and SalesPaid for and content provided by Deliverect Seldom has classic food been re-imagined so spectacularly well Food: 9 / 10Service: 10 / 10Atmosphere: 8 / 10Overall: 9 / 10 There’s a lovely extract from a recent Tony Blair interview with the Evening Standard in which the former British prime minister muses that nothing in politics particularly surprises him any more Hostile dictators hell-bent on provoking the next World War for pointless land grabs But one thing he’ll never be able to wrap his head around is that Alastair Campbell his former spin doctor and the man who once walked in his shadow is selling out arenas as a reborn podcast superstar The extract came to mind during a recent visit to Starling Bistro in Esher which has been opened by former Tom Kerridge head chef Having worked alongside Kerridge for 14 years Beardshaw has embarked on his first solo venture outside the gaze of the man who is now the proud face of M&S Food and British Airways in-flight dining A bottle-aged negroni arrives at our table to start alongside a Virgin Bellini shortly joined thereafter by truffle cheese crumpets and a chicken nugget in house hot sauce Those lucky enough to have enjoyed a meal at The Hand & Flowers will recall the special attention given to bar snacks which is a trait that has been carried through here Small flakes of 36-month-aged parmesan sit atop a crumpet that has been gently kissed by truffle which is a blessing in a world where truffle so often over dominates delicate dishes showcasing wonderful pan-Asian influences with a Carribean kick who joins Starling as general manager from Restaurant Gordon Ramsay puts his excellent wine knowlege to use with two of the best pairings I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing this year A Sauvignon Blanc with notes of apple and pear from Northern Italy accompanied the Crispy Pig’s Head while a zesty and fresh Riesling went like hand to glove alongside Beardshaw’s entry to the Great British Menu of 2023 a ‘Moon Shaped Pool’ containing scallops and other fresh and airy accompaniments The main course brings more classical dishes spectacularly re-imagined Duck is presented on the plate like strips of wagyu steak with leg croustillants and tardivo scattered around drops of cherry ketchup A wood handled steak knife is on the table but a spoon would do the job and would afford you the opportunity to simply let the duck melt in your mouth Cornish Day Boat Brill is served with seaweed butter parsnip and side orders of roast potatoes with a deep crispy crust and garlic roasted hispi cabbage which deserves a special mention Another Great British Menu treat awaits for desert in the shape of ‘Balloon Girl’ but ever a sucker for a nice bit of cheese and fruit cake it was a 36-month aged Comte that arrived at the table alongside fruit soda bread chunky home-made chutney that tasted like Christmas and a glass of port served straight from what I believe was a Rehoboam bottle the menu demonstrates that Beardshaw is ready to emerge out of the shadow of his former boss having being bolstered by the experience afforded under his mentorship This is classic cooking with a modern twist You’ve just landed one of the best new bistros on the market Monday: ClosedTuesday: ClosedWednesday: 12–9 pmThursday: 12–9 pmFriday: 12–9 pmSaturday: 12–9 pmSunday: 12–3 pm Related: Why we should all be eating more venison Read more We do not charge or put articles behind a paywall please show your appreciation for our free content by donating whatever you think is fair to help keep TLE growing and support real Editorial enquiries, please contact: [email protected] Commercial enquiries, please contact: [email protected] © The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE thelondoneconomic.com - All Rights Reserved. Privacy © The London Economic Newspaper Limited t/a TLE thelondoneconomic.com - All Rights Reserved. Privacy There are some temporary changes to bin collections over the Christmas/New Year period. Residents will need to present their bins on a different day than usual Please present your bins at the edge of your property by 6am on your revised collection day Please see below to check your revised collection dates collections will return back to normal and bins should be presented on your usual collection day Should bad weather disrupt collections over the festive period please keep your refuse/recycling bins out We will try to collect any missed bins as soon as we can 1st Weston Green Scouts are running their volunteer Charity Christmas Tree Collection in Elmbridge. For £10 (£15 for a large tree) they can collect and recycle trees from Esher, Molesey, Thames Ditton, Hinchley Wood, and Molesey. To book, visit the Collect my Tree website.  You can also recycle your real tree at Garsons in Esher where they will be collected and recycled as garden waste Take your tree on or before Saturday 11 January (no later than 4pm) we're taking steps to reduce our environmental footprint by moving our waste collection calendar online printed guides will no longer be available for residents Please only put recyclable items into your recycling bin otherwise the entire lorry could be rejected and not recycled Despite the terrible conditions and missing several players it was clear from the off that Scottish wereup for the game against our good friends from Esher From the kick-off Aleks made a powerful runthrough the Esher defence our prop has found his running shoes recently and his powerful carrieswas a theme throughout the match Off one of these trademark carries and with great recyclingfrom the pack the backs then got involved and quick hands put our silky #8 Jake in at the corner toopen the scoring The conditions dictated it was a game for the forwards but that didn’t stop them looking for neatoff-loads to keep the pace of the game up and in quick succession Conor went over for his first try ofthe season and Mikolai opened up his account on the day with the first of three tires he would bag.The weather worked against Ed who narrowly missed the conversions From the re-start Mikolai collected the ball and took it up the park supported as always with his hardlines Freddie took the ball up and with support from Max and Jake put Mikolai back into space tobarge through the defence and dot down under the sticks almost a repeat but this time with the backs making the ground Rudy and Devraj making great ground to put Freddie in and then for his hat-trick Mikolai.To their credit Esher kept at it and began to build pressure on the Scots and we found ourselvescamped out defending the line but a trademark turnover from Ben led to Nico feeding our #15 Joshwho bravely ran it out from under the posts to feed Rudy Ed and Freddie who popped a deliciousoffload to debutant Joe who streaked in from halfway to dot down under the post with Edconverting Devan then came off the bench and was soon felling Esher runners with his choptackling Ed and Rudy combined with quick hands todeceive the defence and Ed ran in under the posts and converted his own try Under WF Cup rules once a 50 point gap is achieved the game is called; however Esher were keen tokeep braving the weather and wanted to give their players valuable game time so the second halfkicked off as the weather became worse handling errors began to creep in fromboth teams as the ball became like a bar of soap a lovely combination from Jake andNico fed the ball back to Aleks who fittingly had the last word and went over for a try to seal thegame their friendship and competitive spirit meant these gamesare always great to watch regardless of the outcome and we wish them well for the remainder ofthe Waterfall Cup they go 2 from 2 and now have two away games before finishingtheir pool stage back at Kings House on the 2nd March…..if you’re in the area come and cheer theboys on SubscrIbe for the latest news and offers direct to your inbox © 2025 Country & Town House.All rights reserved Nick Beardshaw's debut eatery is a true show-stopper With two TV appearances and more than a decade of work with Tom Kerridge under his belt, Nick Beardshaw has opened a debut restaurant in Esher Scrape back a chair at many a restaurant in the capital and you’re in for dinner and a show — and not the kind of show that’s worthy of much applause when the curtain comes down You know it well: microscopic starters balanced on a repurposed plank of wood; dry ice swallowing up a single lonely main course; and a pudding encased in some kind of balloon popped by a smug waiter at your table easily recognised as all style and no substance and it might be something you’d expect from Nick Beardshaw a chef who appeared on the BBC’s Great British Menu twice (and spent 14 years working with Tom Kerridge) he matches every bit of fanfare with truly spectacular flavours Whether you perch at the counter or settle into one of Starling’s elegant cobalt banquettes you’ll soon be happily distracted by the menu combining classic flavours with contemporary techniques and a healthy dose of genius – just take a look at the selection of snacks It’s the kind of food that feels at once delightfully clever and utterly simple which range from herb crumbed cod cheeks to marinated beetroot with goat’s curd there’s the standout ‘Moon Shaped Pool,’ a winning creation from Great British Menu 2023 Taking its name (and visual inspiration) from Radiohead’s ninth album yuzu-marinated cucumber and beads of scallop roe mayonnaise all served beneath a gleaming sheet of edible gelatine that melts away as a Thai-style velouté is poured on top Who says fine dining can’t be rock and roll Such magic might sound very much like the main event but it’s really just the beginning; after all it’s only the precursor to main courses like brill served with seaweed butter and a chicken wing reduction; duck with cherry ketchup and tardivo (Italian radicchio); and mushroom risotto topped with onion (You can also opt for a number of different steak dishes as well as stellar sides including garlic roasted hispi cabbage and the crispiest and another opportunity for a bit of culinary ostentation While you might like the sound of the Madagascan vanilla creme brulee (a solid choice) or the Mayan Red chocolate ice cream with olive oil and a honey madeleine (fantastic) the winner is always going to be ‘Balloon Girl’ this is certainly Starling’s most Instagrammable offering and it is in fact so visually impressive that you might wonder how exactly it’s going to taste any good at all A gastronomic replica of Banksy’s famous mural it’s complete with a chocolate and raspberry torte (the girl) and a rose and raspberry cheesecake (the balloon) encased in a red mirror glaze which is dotted with popping candy – and the entire spectacle sits in its own (wooden It’s sure to provide a particularly dramatic end to your meal but there’s no need to worry; it tastes as incredible as it looks is a restaurant more than worthy of applause 3 High St, Esher KT10 9RL. starlingbistro.co.uk Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Subscribe to Country & Town House in print or the app to make sure you get the very best of property Country & Town House is an introducer appointed representative of Wealthify Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Country & Town House acts as an introducer appointed representative for the purpose of promoting Wealthify products and introducing customers to Wealthify 23-Jul-2024 Last updated on 23-Jul-2024 at 16:04 GMT the 40-seater restaurant will be located on Esher's high street and will serve a concise menu of seasonal British cooking with no more than five dishes to choose from at each course Its opening menu will celebrate Beardshaw’s success on Great British Menu and include his winning fish starter A Moon Shaped Pool will include Creedy Carver duck; and Cornish jumbo plaice The dessert menu will also commemorate his Great British Menu achievements where his Balloon Girl dish will feature alongside two other choices Other dishes will include Himalayan salt aged steaks are available as a ribeye The wine list has been put together by James Shaw who joins Starling as general manager from Restaurant Gordon Ramsay where he was assistant head sommelier The list will comprise 10 reds and 10 whites half of which will be available by the glass The restaurant will have four seats at a counter overlooking the kitchen and bar Starling takes its name form the bird that is known for its spectacular group murmurations which Beardshaw describes as the ultimate example of teamwork and a true reflection of the best professional kitchens Last month Beardshaw announced his departure from Tom Kerridge’s restaurant group, where he had worked for 14 years. The Royston Summers development won the RIBA Architecture Award in 1976 and is a defining example of the Summers's work There is an exceptional power to good architecture That is probably not a secret to many who read the pages (both online and in print) of Country Life I would suggest that our expertise has often leaned more towards the Classical end of the spectrum before setting up his own practice in Blackheath The tranquil cul-de-sac that is Lakeside Drive is set around This property might be the finest example of Summers’s design in the development and has been renovated to a superb standard by its current owners open-plan living and those large windows remains untouched (Image credit: Knight Frank)(Image credit: Knight Frank)(Image credit: Knight Frank)Set in a cross-section the ground floor offers a spacious dining room kitchen (with central island) and attached garage On the first floor you will find four bedrooms with the principal suite taking up an entire wing and featuring a walk-in wardrobe and vast bathroom (Image credit: Knight Frank)(Image credit: Knight Frank)(Image credit: Knight Frank)Outside there is a swimming pool and large gardens Esher itself has an excellent range of schools while Central London is easily accessed from the nearby A3 or various nearby train stations This property on Lakeside Drive is for sale with Knight Frank for £2.95 million. For more information and pictures, click here James FisherDeputy Digital EditorJames Fisher is the Deputy Digital Editor of Country Life. He writes about property, travel, motoring and things that upset him. He lives in London. There are days at Brickfields that live long in the memory. This one will be talked about for years. Chants of 2,063 fans rising into the Devon sky, Plymouth Albion delivered a final home performance that was not just dominant, it was dazzling. A 59-0 win over Esher was not only a showcase of how far the side has come this season but a resounding statement of ambition for the one to come. It was the second time this campaign the crowd topped 2,000, a number that reflects more than just interest; it reflects belief. Thirty minutes before kick-off, the ticket queue snaked around the ground. Hospitality was buzzing, the Stormforce Marquee packed to the rafters, and on the pitch, the Albion youth players, fresh from a morning of coaching, waited nervously to welcome their heroes. One of those heroes was Archie Hill, leading out the side on his 50th appearance for the club. Alongside him, captain Jack Oulton, whose calm leadership and creative spark would prove crucial on the day. Pre-match, Oulton was clear: “Let’s worry about what we do and how we perform — the rest will take care of itself.” And Albion did just that. From the opening whistle, they played with purpose, precision, and poise, the kind of rugby that turns heads and earns headlines. It didn’t take long for the tone to be set. Down the left flank, near the iconic Eric Johns (Princess Yachts) Stand, Albion’s first meaningful attack came straight from the training ground. Rhys Williams, imperious in the lineout all afternoon, hitting 13 out of 13 launched a laser-accurate throw to Jake Clemson. The maul rumbled forward. In came Ben Moa with a surge of energy that turned momentum into menace. Then came the magic. Jack Oulton, spotting space and defenders clutching at shadows, delivered a behind-the-back pass so outrageous, it would have made the Harlem Globetrotters take notes. It found the in-form Bobby Wigginton, who sprinted clear to score under the posts. Frankie Dart, looking ice-cool despite the rain, added the extras. 7-0 Albion and Brickfields roared. Moments later, almost mirroring the first, Albion swept to the opposite side of the pitch. Another pinpoint Williams throws, another driving maul. Oulton again dictated the tempo, this time finding a slicing Shea Cornish, who powered through traffic to finish smartly. Dart converted again with ease right of the Brunel Stand. Esher looked stunned. By now, Albion’s grip on the game was vice-like. With 65% possession and 18 entries into the Esher 22 across the 80 minutes, they were camped in enemy territory for long spells, picking their moments and picking their opponents apart. The third try started as so many did, a platform from a dominant lineout, driven by the muscle of Herbie Stupple and co. Moa took the ball, barrelled through two defenders, shook them off, and went again, raw power in motion before offloading back to Stupple. Albion was relentless. The ball was recycled quickly and spun wide to Cornish, who dived over for his second of the afternoon. Dart, with metronomic precision, made it 21-0. Esher began to show signs of fraying at the edges, frustration creeping in as Albion’s physical and mental discipline never wavered. The home side were clinical in every area: crisp passes, committed carries (114 in total), and fierce tackling when needed, with Stupple leading the way on defence with nine bruising stops. Just when Esher might have hoped for respite, Albion found another gear. Clemson cut a sharp line through exhausted defenders for try number four, celebrating with a fist-pump and a skyward toss of the ball. Dart’s fourth straight conversion sent the home crowd into raptures. But Albion weren’t done. From the very next kick-off, Moa soared into the air to claim the ball like a man possessed. He weaved past two, then calmly chipped forward. A chase. A blur of white shirts. And who else but Wigginton, as electric as the atmosphere arriving to ground the ball in the right corner for his second. The celebrations were wild. Moa raised his arms in triumph, surrounded by teammates. Dart’s boot stayed flawless. Half-time: 33-0. Where earlier in the season Albion may have dropped intensity in the second half, this time they doubled down. Esher rallied with some pressure early on, but Albion’s defensive line held firm. A brutal goal-line stand, followed by a lightning-quick release, ended in Exeter loanee Israel Akinrowo crashing over for his first try. The power in the carry was matched only by the speed of execution. A dominant scrum on the left soon followed a symbol of Albion’s control up front, and it allowed Oulton to feed Wigginton, who needed no second invitation to complete his hat-trick. Dart’s afternoon on the tee came to a close, and on came Tom Putt, who curled over the extras to pass 200 points for the season in style. As Esher’s frustrations boiled over, Albion’s focus never shifted. The final phase of the match brought more tries, more smiles, and more magic. A perfectly executed lineout saw Gabe Mead connect with Connor Eastgate, who fizzed the ball to Harry Legg. Legg found Putt on the left touchline, who turned on the jets and drew in the last man. Rather than take the glory, he flicked it inside to who else, Bobby Wigginton, who stepped inside and dived over for his fourth try of the match, setting a new season-high for an Albion player. Moments later, Putt finally got one of his own. Legg again acted as the link, drawing in contact before slipping the perfect hand-off. Putt broke clear, evading a late tackle and sprinting home to cap off a sensational team try. He slotted the final conversion to end the game 59-0. As the final whistle blew, the entire Albion squad poured toward the stands. Applause, selfies, hugs, autographs, this was a club connected from pitch to people, and the bond was clear for all to see. Head coach Ryan Lamb summed it up:“I think this was the first time we stuck to the game plan from start to finish. It was a great shift from the lads and a well-deserved win. The fans have been amazing all season — hopefully we can win the final away game at Sale and finish on a high note.” Four-try hero Bobby Wigginton, whose form since returning on loan has been electric, gave all the credit to those around him:“It’s good to get over the line, but all the thanks go to the team and the fans. We couldn’t do it without them.” With 4th place currently Albion’s to lose and just a single point separating them from Blackheath and Rams, next weekend’s clash away at Sale FC could decide everything. But if this game proved one thing, it’s that Albion, this ambitious, together, relentless version of Albion, are more than ready for the challenge. 50/50 numbers from today’s game have now been claimed   I agree to the terms and conditions © 2025 Plymouth Albion RFC|Privacy Policy|Terms & Conditions|Safeguarding Policy Website by Four first-half tries laid the platform for Blackheath’s biggest win of the season to date as they put Esher to the sword 64-22 at Molesey Road The Surrey side had come into the match having won three on the bounce and were in touching range of moving out of the National League One relegation zone but this defeat leaves them in the bottom three while for the Club the big victory erased the memory of the poor display against Plymouth Albion the previous week it was Esher continuing their form of recent weeks as wing Stan Norman swept across for a try on just three minutes the Club wing making his first and final appearance of the season Fly-half Tom Ffitch’s excellent touchline conversion levelled the scores briefly before EEEs opposite number Sam Morley nudged the hosts back ahead with a penalty but the remainder of the period belonged to the visitors Jake Lloyd touched-down when ball fell loose and Ffitch struck all three conversions and added a successful penalty for Blackheath to lead 31-10 at the break The second half continued in similar fashion with another catch and drive seeing Billy Harding touch down at the base of the maul sent Noah Sloot across on the open-side’s 25th appearance in Club colours making a long-awaited return at full-back after injury crashed through the Esher defence for Everard to mark his final Blackheath game with his second try Ffitch’s sixth successful conversion brought up the half-century A tap-and-go saw Esher claw a try back through centre Myles Rawstron-Rudd but the demolition work continued at the other end with another break from Slowik sending Lloyd across out wide and Denham made a line-break for Holland to cross before the hosts claimed late consolation via wing James Botterill “We had a gameplan to execute to eradicate Esher and it worked perfectly,” said Blackheath director of rugby James Shanahan in his last game before he heads off travelling Blackheath head to Darlington Mowden Park tomorrow before returning to home soil on March 1 against Sedgley Park After working with Tom Kerridge for 14 years and a winning turn on Great British Menu in 2023 Nick Beardshaw has struck out on his own with Starling in his hometown of Esher He’s got a great corner site on the main drag with lots of light coming through the expansive windows The set-up is informal but elegant; the open kitchen looks out onto a room awash with royal blue and cream touches and hammered metal starling-shaped lampshades.  The vibe may be relaxed but there’s some proper cookery happening in the kitchen Snacks like spongy truffle cheese crumpets blanketed in 36-month aged parmesan showcase Beardshaw’s ability to blend indulgence with finesse from the get-go Dishes of pressed game terrine studded with pistachios and accompanied by celeriac remoulade and fig chutney and Creedy Carver duck with a rich leg meat croustillant tardivo offering bitterness and cherry ketchup adding sweetness show that the team can deliver heartier flavours with the same skill a very thin layer of chocolate torte in the shape of a girl served in the frame like the famous Banksy piece it’s inspired by complete with rice paper shreds at the bottom It’s a tried-and-tested flavour combination The Xoco chocolate ice cream with Piedmont hazelnuts olive oil and a honey madeleine is comparatively understated in terms of presentation but is big on flavour with the olive oil and a sprinkling of salt lifting all the other ingredients to another level There’s a concise but wide-ranging wine list with bottles from all over the world including English sparkling wine from Sussex and Dorset Drivers are also well looked after with decent soft options including grown-up cordials and a fresh apple Starling is everything you want a bistro to be You can go in for a good steak and triple-cooked chips or you can have something a little more flourish and you’ll leave very happy Esher locals are lucky to have this on their doorstep The former batter died on August 4 having suffered ‘traumatic injuries’ during the incident at Esher railway station News | UK Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe died after being struck by a train at a railway station in Surrey the opening of an inquest into his death has heard his wife Amanda Thorpe revealed previously The former batter died on the morning of August 4 having suffered “traumatic injuries” during the incident at Esher railway station Mental illness is a real disease and can affect anyone recorded his cause of death as one of multiple injuries during the short hearing The coroner offered his “sincere condolences” not just to Mr Thorpe’s family but to “all those touched by his life and career” A date for Mr Thorpe’s full inquest will be fixed at a later time Tributes flooded in for one of the nation’s best Test players after the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on August 5 that he had died The coroner had received a referral from British Transport Police The force said previously: “Officers were called to Esher railway station at 8.26am on August 4 to reports of a casualty on the tracks There is nothing to hide and it is not a stigma however sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene The incident is not being treated as suspicious.” Amanda Thorpe told The Times that her husband attempted suicide two years ago before taking his own life this month “Graham was renowned as someone who was very mentally strong on the field and he was in good physical health,” she told the newspaper “But mental illness is a real disease and can affect anyone “Despite having a wife and two daughters whom he loved and who loved him “He was so unwell in recent times and he really did believe that we would be better off without him and we are devastated that he acted on that and took his own life.” School absences doubled as ‘knock-on’ effect of pandemic lockdowns – report Win a pair of tickets to see England vs Finland at Wembley Conor Gallagher has no hard feelings towards Chelsea over Atletico Madrid move Make more of London this autumn with these exciting experiences Mr Thorpe’s daughter Kitty said the family “are not ashamed” of talking about his death adding: “There is nothing to hide and it is not a stigma.” Talking openly can help to break the stigma surrounding the subject and can encourage people who are struggling to get the vital support they need Charities praised the family for being open about what happened, with the Samaritans chief executive saying it is “really important” to have honest conversations about suicide Julie Bentley added: “Talking openly can help to break the stigma surrounding the subject and can encourage people who are struggling to get the vital support they need.” Mr Thorpe was a mainstay in the England set-up for many years first as a batter between 1993 and 2005 before spending 12 years in coaching roles but was admitted to hospital in May 2022 and declared “seriously ill” During a distinguished international career including a debut century against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993 and represented his country 182 times in all formats Current Test players Ben Stokes Joe Root and Ben Duckett hailed Mr Thorpe after the news of his death emerged while retired England bowler Stuart Broad described him as a “wonderful person” Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or at www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Royals watch historic flypast as huge crowds turns out for VE Day 80th anniversary  Royals watch historic Red Arrows flypast for VE Day 80th anniversary UK tourists face major travel shake-up as Dubai airport set to close David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints A big win for Blackheath and a crushing defeat for Esher who continue to struggle on their return to National League One after a season in the lower division The Surrey side arrived at The Utilita having won just one of their opening six matches and left with another half-century added to that tally For Blackheath it was a performance which demonstrated some superb handling and great offloading particularly late on in a second period which resembled Sevens rugby at times but there were also moments of carelessness notably during a chaotic 10-minute spell after half-time which kept the visitors in touch until the hosts took the game beyond reach in the final quarter The traditionalist might have preferred the opening 35 minutes making his 150th appearance in Club colours and making the crunching tackles and huge carries that have characterised his career since joining Blackheath in 2015 second-rows Mike Etete and Tom Everard driving close before Auguy Slowik came up into the line for Markus Burcham to send the full-back across with four minutes played EEEs fly-half Sam Morley responded with three points from a penalty but opposite number Tom Ffitch picked ball off his toes and glided through a missed tackle to score When Billy Harding made ground off lineout Jordan Burns sent Etete through a gap for a 19-3 lead for the hosts Esher had their moments and when Baldwin was yellow carded for an offside five metres out conceding three tries while their captain was off the field A tap-and-go saw EEEs centre Luke Peters burrow over and within a minute of the start of the second period Ffitch’s attempted long pass found the hands of tall Ed Volley for an interception try Morley added both conversions to bring the visitors back within two points The Club fly-half quickly made up for his error with a lovely break off lineout who proved a menace to Esher in open play throughout then produced a great offload for Slowik to claim his second try Volley once again used his height to claim the restart the outside-centre gliding through some mystified defence before Morley’s long pass sent left-wing James Botterill over out wide Esher’s tackling proved equally ineffective and as Burcham and Archie Holland made ground off lineout Etete smashed through the remaining cover and restored some breathing space for the hosts at 33-22 on 50 minutes Two yellow cards hampered the visitors further and with ever-increasing dominance up front Harding slid across at the base of the maul after Etete had gathered the hooker’s lineout throw When Tevita Cavubati bashed his way forward after a massive shove from the Club scrum fine hands from Josh Smart and Burcham found Jake Lloyd in acres of space for one the easier tries of the wing’s career Esher kept going and with the game so open and loose the visitors found consolation as great work from Morley sent wing Ben Robbins across for a four-try bonus Blackheath claimed the final word as they went through the phases for Holland to cross for the hosts’ eighth try Blackheath travel to Lancashire to take on Sedgley Park on Saturday The Club’s next home match is on November 9 against Sale FC we were delighted to host the Weybridge Job Centre Plus job fair at the Civic Centre in Esher on Thursday 5 September Walton Charity and Pie Events were among the twenty employers attending the fair to talk to prospective employees and to support them with job applications Parking and Local Economy was pleased to support the event: “Recruitment events are so important for both local companies and prospective candidates and it is great that we were able to host this event in partnership with our local job centre.  Providing the opportunity for candidates and employers to speak to each other face-to-face is invaluable and as an important local employer I am pleased Elmbridge Borough Council officers were also able to showcase vacant roles at the council.” Employer Advisor for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “We were happy to bring the jobs fair to the Civic Centre in Esher to help connect employers and job seekers together  We welcomed around 100 customers to the event and had some great feedback from employers about the quality and professionalism of the local job seekers The events are great way to bring opportunities out to the community and we hope to see lots of positive outcomes for job seekers from the event.” Interested in working for Elmbridge Borough Council? Take a look at our current vacancies European cup competitions began at the weekend but a transcontinental connection was made in November between National One side Esher and Portuguese club GDS Cascais Article from Talking Rugby Union. Written by Francisco Isaac. The European cup competitions kicked off at the weekend with all 10 Gallagher Premiership sides in action across the Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup Northampton Saints and Gloucester were the only three teams to taste success in Round One but the continental feel for clubs in England may have actually begun at the end of November National One outfit Esher welcomed six-time Portuguese champions GDS Cascais to Molesey Road which was the cherry on top of their recent tour to England Cascais were invited to these shores for a four-day tour to enjoy a bit of sightseeing play a fixture against Esher and watch Wales vs South Africa in Cardiff before heading back to Portugal After a day and a half of taking in the sights of London Cascais boarded their bus down to Surrey to face Esher but what made the Portuguese side such an intriguing prospect for the third-tier English club Historic Cascais Rugby (John Dobson and Tomaz Morais played and were coached the club) are travelling to play against the local club Ill be there… And I promise to pay one beer xD pic.twitter.com/iEe9TZLdfD — Francisco Isaac (@francisaac87) November 21, 2024 From Portuguese internationals like António Vidinha Francisco Sousa and Salvador Vassalo to Argentinian powerhouses like Nicolas Griffiths – who played in Scotland and Spain – head-coach Gabriel Ascárate (former Pumas and Glasgow Warriors player) picked a strong side there wasn’t the sea of fans eagerly waiting for the players like you so often see ahead of European matches Esher’s Director and National League Rugby Chairman John Inverdale – the person who made the whole tour come to life but doesn’t want to be mentioned – gave us a warm welcome We headed into the bar which also serves as a museum showing an assortment of memorabilia such as club emblems of past visitors It was uplifting walking on the wooden floor reading and taking in all the historical details about Esher’s history and culture As Cascais went to the locker room to get ready for the game some veteran Esher fans walked in and started talking They were keen to gather information about who Cascais were and what the club’s position is in the Portuguese league while also sharing some old stories about Esher and news about how the club are currently doing It wasn’t a packed house – as Esher’s National One clash with Bishop’s Stortford was to be played the next day – but a good flock of fans came down their curiosity getting them out of their cosy houses and onto the frozen stands of the historic Molesey Road If at first the locals weren’t into the game that much c’mon lads!” were the shouts coming from the terraces as both teams gave a proper show to their fans but Esher hit back and were able to gain the lead with the game back and forth until the break people were speeding up to the bar to get a refill of their most appreciated drink/food The talk was about how that player was “an impressive human specimen” or the other “fella could’ve held the ball a little longer before offloading it” I also indulged myself in Esher’s food menu grabbing a juicy hamburger with extra cheese (and bacon of course) and some fries while waiting for the game to come back on and Esher was delivering it with such brilliance and warmth that I didn’t feel the cold anymore For those that might be asking; ‘Has he ever gone to a rugby game in his life?’ the answer is of course ‘yes’ but there was something different on that Friday night and it was due to the whole vibe and atmosphere I’ve played and reported on Friday night games I have been in the stands as a spectator or as a nervous fan waiting for the game to unravel and I have tasted the sweetest of victories and the bitterness of losing because I unfortunately had never been to Esher or to Moseley Road before The two sides scored two more tries and were locked in a tie for what seemed like an eternity until the visitors piled on the pressure and scored another five-pointer pulling ahead 29-26 with just a few minutes to spare but a handling mistake provided a turnover with Cascais kicking the ball out to earn a hard-fought win If before kick-off there was little enthusiasm nervously supporting their teams and waiting for a twist of fate to happen nodding their heads in approval and sharing: “That was a good match For the young Portuguese players of the Cascais ensemble going to England to do a bit of tourism and play rugby will become an ever-lasting moment in their sporting lives A post shared by GDS Cascais Rugby 🏉 (@cascaisrugby) it will help them to believe more in themselves and work even harder maybe it will just be enough to keep them in the club as they wait patiently for another tour so they can be in it again what was supposed to be just a game turned out to be a forging of a relationship with both teams agreeing to play once a season be it as a pre-season fixture or included in future autumn rugby tours concrete and metal were dusted off instantly as Esher and Cascais’ love for the game was above all else shared a couple of beers and a heartening meal and relived some of the best moments of the game before heading home When I finally got home and unpacked my bags I took out Esher’s scarf and hung it on the wall to remind me how a simple tour to one of England’s oldest clubs will forever have a place in my memory lane The impact of rugby touring has become a faint memory as unfortunately Brexit has had a significant impact on travelling and lodging prices even when there were British clubs/teams like the Penguins touring Portugal In a time where pro rugby is getting even more professional to have these types of sporting gatherings taking place at the same time as Autumn/July internationals makes even more sense just for the growth of the sport Not saying an Esher vs Cascais annual game will become a moneymaker or change the futures of both clubs open horizons and help bring different worlds together having had the chance to connect with Esher fans journalists and players will always be remembered as a special day in my sports reporting life Make sure you follow National League Rugby on social media + hit like and subscribe on our YouTube channel Email: ncasecretary@outlook.com The club in Portsmouth Road was founded in 1892 and is one of the oldest golf clubs in the UK Bosses there say they are reeling following a number of incidents A picture of an anti-Semitic slogan carved into one of the bunkers has also been shown to Radio Jackie News The club is calling on patrons and nearby residents to be extra vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to the police meaning it isn’t possible for the site to be monitored by CCTV or protected by fencing “Waking up to find our cherished course vandalised has sent shock waves through the club This mindless vandalism doesn’t just affect our golfers but the thousands of people who walk their dog We are urging residents to help by remaining vigilant and any information that helps lead to prosecution will earn a year’s free membership or a pizza a month at the club house restaurant as a thank you.” He’s spoken with Jackie’s Lucy Mayer “The club and the team take deep pride in caring for the common land for the enjoyment of all and it beggars’ belief why someone would do this our community can help send a clear message to these individuals and hopefully lead to prosecution “Enquiries remain ongoing following reports of criminal damage at Thames Ditton and Esher Golf Club Neighbourhood officers visited the club last Tuesday after we received reports that a swastika had been carved into one of the greens overnight on the 15th of February including checking CCTV footage from the area and speaking to people in neighbouring properties We have also increased our patrols in the area to deter further offences and to provide reassurance to the local community Elmbridge Borough Council has also been made aware of the incident It is believed that two dirt bikes may have entered the premises and caused damage on previous occasions These included reports of dirt bikes entering the premises and causing damage on the 11th of January 2025 and two reports in November 2024 there is no description or number plate of any of the vehicles or those involved If you can help us identify those involved or provide any other information which would help us progress our enquiries please contact us quoting crime ref PR/45250018945 you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.” It’s the latest in a lengthy spate of vandalism on the ancient golf course has been fending off people riding motorbikes on the course for almost a year now But that’s nothing compared to what awaited staff when they arrived at work on Sunday morning A Nazi swastika carved into one of the greens During an appearance on GB News said the problems have been going on “for about 10 months or so now but it’s got a lot worse over the winter time” but nothing that we have discerned as a symbol that we would see “Certainly nothing as shocking as the Nazi symbol.” Speaking to The Standard we’d have problems with these dirt bikes going on the golf course and using it as a race track making marks on the grass which appeared to be very deliberate “The Nazi symbol is completely different to what we’ve had before “It’s shored up a lot of interest on social media and it’s an accumulation of everything that’s been building up since last year “We have reported each and every incident to the police and council but generally speaking it does always end up being the same type of response and the case closes after a couple of days.” it is not possible for CCTV to be installed or for a protective fence to be built around it the area is enjoyed by the local community and it was an early-morning dog walker who first discovered the latest act of vandalism who also noted that golf clubs in nearby Wimbledon have also been targeted by vandals and a lot of what we do is led by volunteers “The police have suggested trying to close off the routes to the green but of course it’s a community space on common land We’re asking the public to help us put a stop to this.” If you have any information that might help Thames Ditton and Esher Golf Club, you can contact the club directly Alex has been in the golf industry since 2007 and has helped shape a number of publications in that time He joined Today’s Golfer in January 2025 to lead the brand’s news division. He is a keen golfer who claims to play off 12 and enjoys traveling the world to try new courses and Royal Portrush – with special mentions for Okehampton and Bude & North Cornwall where he first fell in love with the game. He uses a combination of Ping and once bought the Nike SQ driver which he absolutely did not immediately regret By Alex Perry A 37-year-old man from Leatherhead died at the scene and his family have been informed News | Crime Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice Police have launched a murder investigation following a crash involving a car and a moped Officers were called around 6.20am on Monday to the A244 Claremont Lane in Esher after receiving several calls about a collision between the vehicles, Surrey Police said A 37-year-old man from Leatherhead was pronounced dead at the scene and his family have been informed A 52-year-old man from Orpington has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody The road remains closed but it is hoped it will re-open later on Monday evening Detective inspector Natalie Pearce said: “We are hoping to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision anyone that may have any dashcam footage of the collision or anyone who may have seen a red moped and a white Seat Ibiza in the area in the moments before the collision Deaths of three children found dead with father being investigated as murder £120,000 campaign by Monty Python stars for statue of ‘great friend’ Terry Jones Mother pays tribute as three children found dead in Surrey house named Three children and man found dead at house in Staines “We are especially interested in the manner of driving by these two vehicles.” Det Insp Pearce said Surrey Police had referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because of having previous contact with the suspect Register to Drapers to read ONE FREE article and a FREE digital edition Premium womenswear independent Bernard Boutique has announced it will close the doors to its Esher Founded in 1969 by former window display designer Helene Rapaport Bernard Boutique relocated from Cranleigh to Esher and has been a staple of Esher's High Street for more than 40 years The business has confirmed that Saturday 8 June will be the last day of trading at its 2,500 sq ft store Drapers presented Rapaport with the Lifetime Achievement Awards at Drapers Independents Awards in 2023. which launched in 2015 and delivered 50% of sales annually Between 60% and 70% of Bernard Boutique's revenue was derived from womenswear sales including contemporary brands Ganni and Isabel Marant Golden Goose and Axel Arigato accounted for up to 30% of all sales Bernard Boutique also won Designer Store of the Year 1997 and Top Buyer of the Year 1998 at the Drapers Awards we would stay in business forever as we have loved every single minute of it but health now comes first and Barrie [Rapaport Bernard Boutique co-founder] and I look forward to some relaxing holidays and family time," Helene Rapaport announced in an Instagram post Read more: The lifetime achievement of Bernard Boutique’s Helene Rapaport Tags analysis and advice to keep you updated… New Look has successfully onboarded 100% of its core supplier base onto… Marks & Spencer has reassured that all third-party brands trading on its… Get full access to all the fashion industry news and intelligence you need Browse the archive of more than 55,000 articles read the daily and weekly newsletters in full and gain priority access to Drapers events The FIT Partnership was founded by local entrepreneur Max Berry during one of the toughest periods of his life Max was forced to retire from professional rugby with little support for symptoms like insomnia and difficulty concentrating Despite the existence of therapies such as cryotherapy Max was frustrated by the lack of resources available to athletes Max set about with his idea to launch The FIT Partnership Max Berry commented “FIT has redefined what it means to thrive After six years of refinement and innovation we’re launching our flagship location in Esher FIT is more than a gym; it’s a destination for those committed to ageing well and living better.” The FIT Partnership is not your typical gym; the team have redefined fitness with cutting-edge technology and personalised health solutions that deliver results faster all within a luxuriously designed sanctuary people are increasingly seeking ways to not only live longer but to improve the quality of their extended years The concept of a “longevity gym” is an exciting response to this demand seamlessly blending cutting-edge science with physical wellness people’s experience of traditional fitness programmes is often too physically demanding and take up a huge amount of personal time this makes you feel anxious about what you should be doing to stay fit and well for the past 7 years we’ve been on a mission to source cutting-edge wellness technologies and treatments to help you feel as young on the outside as you do on the inside making your health journey rewarding and enjoyable Phil Newman is the founder of Longevity.Technology an international media and research company that has been tracking the longevity industry since 2019 Newman has been helping the FIT Partnership develop its longevity proposition “FIT Partnership’s innovative approach to longevity in one location is truly groundbreaking By combining a state-of-the-art gym with expert longevity clinicians and a dedicated client care team they’ve created a formula for success that addresses the core pillars of health and wellness I’m excited to see this gym-to-longevity concept come to life and cutting-edge technology offer busy individuals a practical path to optimizing health and extending health span.” Experience the future of wellness and longevity Monthly and annual memberships are available with an option to enjoy 12 months for the price of 10 The FIT Partnership centre is a newly built 8,000 sq ft facility with five fully equipped treatment rooms a consultant room and two versatile studios.Every touch ensures a luxury 5-star experience Key services include the most in-demand and modern treatments available Operations Manager commented “At FIT Partnership we’re dedicated to helping individuals age well and live better we empower our members to optimise their health and enjoy a higher quality of life at every stage It’s not just about adding years to life; it’s about adding life to those years.” Experience the rejuvenating power of cryotherapy at The FIT Partnership where advanced technology meets holistic wellness to accelerate recovery Immerse yourself in the soothing warmth of our infrared sauna at where cutting-edge technology meets holistic wellness to detoxify Discover the power of AI-driven cycling with the CAROL bike where cutting-edge technology meets high-intensity efficiency to deliver a complete workout in just a fraction of the time Experience the power of maximal strength training using the Balkan Strength Machine With advanced equipment and science-backed techniques and optimising your physical performance for lasting results Step into our authentic Finnish hot sauna where ancient wellness traditions meet modern technology Immerse yourself in a heat therapy designed to enhance circulation Experience the rejuvenating power of compression therapy where advanced techniques boost circulation We believe that nutrition is the cornerstone of health and wellness Our personalised nutrition plans are designed to help you achieve your health goals through a tailored approach to diet and nutrition Whether you’re looking to improve your energy levels our nutrition experts create individualised plans that consider your lifestyle Discover the power of Pilates and enhance your core strength through expert-guided sessions tailored to your fitness level Our resistance swimming pool redefines the traditional pool experience with advanced exercise and therapy features including a powerful current system and a rehabilitation treadmill for optimal fitness and recovery Experience the rejuvenating effects of red-light therapy where cutting-edge technology meets holistic wellness to enhance recovery Experience the future of fitness with the Vasper System to deliver a full-body workout that enhances strength and recovery – all in just 21 minutes Experience the transformative benefits of yoga at; cultivate strength and inner peace through guided sessions tailored to your individual needs Our advanced testing encompasses four key pillars – medical to create the most personalised and science-backed wellness plan available we ensure that your journey toward optimal health is as effective and tailored as possible Experience the transformative benefits of hyperbaric chamber therapy where advanced oxygen therapy promotes faster recovery Our gym area offers top-tier traditional equipment enjoy the flexibility of working out on your schedule with expertly maintained Discover the revitalising benefits of cold-water therapy Discover the power of Electric Muscle Stimulation where advanced technology meets innovative fitness to enhance muscle activation to boost strength Members can stay connected with The FIT Partnership networking café Hermosa protein and a selection of fair-trade coffees Sign up to get LondonDaily.News delivered to your inbox